Internestable service baskets



' B. GOLD INTERNESTABLE SERVICE BASKETS March 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1955- INVENTOR. BENJAM/N Gaza A TTORNE K B. GOLD 2,785,725

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INTERNESTABLE SERVICE BASKETS INVENTOR. BENJAMIN 6040 March 19, 1957 Flled June 9 1955 14 TTORNE )4 United rates atent C INTERNESTABLE SERVIE BASKETS Benjamin Gold, Brooklyn, N. 1., assignor to Handy Folding Pail Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 9, 1955, Serial No. 514,300

6 Claims. (Cl. 15051) This invention relates to improvements in internestable service baskets and more particularly to a strong and durable basket of relatively light weight having tapered enclosing walls permitting internested stacking thereof and provided with a flexible handle part which also serves as a supporting sling for a similar basket nested therein.

lnternestable service baskets made in accordance with this invention are particularly designed for customers use in carrying selected merchandise to the pay counter of self-service stores such as self-service food, drug, hardware and novelty stores, department stores and so-called ten cent stores. These improved service baskets are designed to provide a more convenient and less expensive medium for customer transportation of selected merchandise items and articles to the pay counter of self-service stores than is provided by the expensive and cumbersome rolling carts as presently used.

These improved service baskets are preferably assembled from a strong and sturdy cage framework formed from metal or plastic bands or wire of substantial stiffness. The cage framework comprises top and bottom hoops of generally rectangular outline, joined together by spaced vertical ribs or stays; the bottom hoop being somewhat smaller than the top hoop to permit tapered nesting of the finished baskets. The framework is covered by an enclosing hood which is telescoped thereover to provide the bottom and sides of the basket. The enclosing hood may be advantageously formed from strong and durable fabric such as canvas or duck which may be attractively and distinctively colored and decorated, and may be inexpensively manufactured from two pieces, one piece being shaped to form the bottom section and the second piece being sewn thereto to provide the enclosing side wall section. The top edge of the enclosing side wall section is infolded over the top frame and securely stitched to encase the top hoop in the tub:- lar upper portion of the hood covering as thus formed.

The handle part is formed from strong and durable but flexible material such as cotton, duck, or other textile, leather or other fibrous composition, suitably decorated to harmonize with the hood covering of the basket body. The handle part may be economically manufactured from three strips, two strips providing a pair of inverted V shaped yoke sections whose terminal ends are secured to the top hoop of the basket body, and the third strip providing a bridging section which is'stitched to the apex portions of the yoke sections. The handle part has an overall lengthwhich will provide a convenient carrying handle when the bridging section thereof is in the hand. out possesses sufiicient flexibility so that it will drop of its own weight into the basket when released, and is so proportioned with respect to the depth and taper of the basket body that approximately two-thirds to threefourths of the height of a similar basket may be nested within and freely supported by the sagging handle part of the basket therebelow. As thus constructed, the nested basket is free of gripping contact with the basket in which 'it is nested and freely saddles therein. A

customer, entering the self-service store, may thus pick up the fully accessible and sagging handle part associated with the topmost basket and lift the topmost basket from the basket stack without disturbing the stacked relation of the basket or baskets therebelow.

Service baskets constructed in accordance with this invention, made to provide substantial carrying capacity, are nevertheless light in weight, strong and durable, and can be manufactured at relatively low cost to provide an inexpensive, highly convenient, and space-saving transportation medium for the accommodation of customers of self-service stores. Service baskets constructed in accordance with this invention also find useful application in the home delivery of all kinds of merchandise, and as a general utility basket for use in homes, various stores, and manufacturing and service establishments.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be come apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical form of service basket constructed in accordance with this in vention with the handle part thereof shown in raised carrying position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cage framework for the basket;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the basket body as it would appear during assembly thereof and wherein the cage framework is in process of being telescoped into the flexible hood covering;

Fig. 4 is another transverse cross section showing the basket body as fully assembled and as it would appear after the cage framework has been fully telescoped into the flexible hood and the upper rim portion of the hood infolded and stitched to enclose the top hoop of the framework, this view also showing in phantom lines the upper rim-forming portion of the hood prior to infolding thereof;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the assembled handle part as it would appear prior to attachment to the upper rim of the basket body;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the handle part as it would appear when viewed along line 6 6 of Fig. 5, this view illustrating further details of the handle part construction; 7 I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the basket body and handle part illustrating the manner in which the legs of the handle yoke straps may be attached and secured to the top rim of the basket body;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional detail taken along line 8-8 of Fig; 7 and further illustrating the manner in which the legs of the yoke straps are secured to the top rim of the basket body; 7

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of completed baskets constructed in accordance with this invention and illustrating the manner in which the baskets may be freely internested in limited space and supported by the underslung handle part of the basket positioned there below; and

Fig. 10 is a transverse cross section of the basket stack as it would appear when viewed along line 10-16 Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views'of the drawings and specification.

. thebaske't shown in the drawings, theimproved serviee basket of this invention comprises a skeleton frame or cage 1 enclosed wtihin a flexible hood which together provide the basket body, and a flexible handle part which is joined to the upper rim of the basket body. The skeleton frame as shown in Fig. '2 comprisesa top hoop; and a bottom hoop 3, both preferably of substantiallyrectangu-' 'lar outline, with the bottom hoop 3 of slightly; smaller 'size than the top hoop 2 to provide the required taper for the basket body. T he top hoop Z'and bottom hoop 3 may be made of relatively heavy and stiff metal or 7 plastic wire or bands of any desired cross-sectional shape whose ends are suitably welded or permanently joined asat 2 and 3' to provide continuous top and bottom hoops 2 andl The top and bottom hoops are joined by a series of spaced connecting ribs or stays whose ends are welded or permanently bonded @821}? to the hoops land 3. The skeleton frame as thus constructed provides a strong and sturdy cage framework which main-;

. contoured inlconformity with the bottom hoop 3 of the skeleton frame. The enclosing'body wall section 7 of the hood is formed from two elongated strips of selected flexible sheet material of sufficient length to' extend end to end around the body of the'skeleton frame. The lower edge of the body wall section 7 presents an edgingportion 7 which is secured as by stitching 7" to embrace the peripheral edgeof the bottom forming section 6 as 7 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. The free end edges of the side wall forming strips are secured together along vertical seams 8 ins. manner. to provide a tapered body sec- 'tion which may be snugly 'telescoped over the skeleton 'frame .1in snug fitting relation thereto as shown in Figs.

3 and 4.

After the enclosing hood S has been telescoped over 7 the reinforcing cage 1, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper, edge portion 9 of the body wall section 7 of the hood is folded inwardly to overlie and embrace the top hoop 2 of the cage and is stitched as by stitching 9 to provide'a tubular portion which completely encloses the top hoop 2. As thus constructed, the enclosure hood 5 provides an outer facing for the reinforcing frame 1 and is suspended from the top hoop .2 thereof, but need not be otherwise seeured to the reinforcing frame. V

The flexible suspension handle 10 is formed by a pair of yoke straps 11 formed-of strong and durable but flexible sheet material such as .a strong textile, plastic or leather. Wherea textile is used, the yoke straps 11 may be of double-ply. Each yo'kestrap 11 presents an overfolded portion medially. thereof to providejhe apex saddle '12 of an inverted V-shaPed yoke strap having outside face ofthe top Irirn ofthe basketbody 'asishown Either'stitching or one or more rivets 16 may be'u'sed to.

. secure the end of each yoke leg -13 to the top frame-of "Abridging strap 17 made of. flexible leather, plastic or clothnof either single or plural-ply thickness presents end portionsjls which embrace the 'ap'ex'saddles 12fof 'the yoke straps 11 and are securely sewnasby stitching f 13' thereto. The bridging strap 17 provides a comfortk 'a'ble hand grip by means of which the basket is carried."

"The overalllength of the flexible sling handle 10 is soidimensioned that it will freely sag whjen unsupported into the basket body, with theiyokestraps llextendings i into the basket for a distance of approximately threefourths of. its depth and with the bridging strap 17 ex tending transversely across the basket width as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, with the yoke straps 11 directly adjacent the inside face of the hood side walls. The handle part 10 then provides a sling on which the bottom panel 6 'of'a nested basket will'rest to provide a complete sling support therefor as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. flhe side walls of the basket body are so tapered as to' permit nesting of one basket into a similar ba'sketfor approxi- 'mately three-fourths of the basket depth-without friction gripping contact between adjacent baskets. 7 As thus constructed, the customer will find the inwardly sagging handle of'the topmost basket as shown in Figs.- 9 and 10 conveniently accessible, and by exerting an upward lifting force'on the'sagging'handle, the topmost basket to which it is attached may be readily liftedfrom the stacked baskets without disturbingthe stacked relation of the basket or baskets therebelow. 7

Service baskets constructed in accordance with this.

.invention are particularly suited, and adapted for use by the customers in self-service stores, but finds many addi tional uses where a strong and durable but light-weight basket of commodious capacity is desired. The enclosure hood portion of the basket may be nade of various flexible sheet materials such as strong and durable plastic sheets, textiles and various fibrous compositions, suitably 1. A-service basket having a basket body presenting a bottom wall, tapered side enclosing walls, and a handle part formed from flexible material which includes; a pair of V-shaped yoke sections each presenting an apex portion and flared legs extending therefrom, means for securing the ends of said legs to the upper portion of the basket body, and a bridging section extending between and se 7 cured to the apex portions-of said paired yoke sections and providing a. hand grip when said handle part'is lifted to basket carrying'position, said handle part when unsupported being sufliciently flexible to sag into the upright basket body with the yoke sections thereof extending inwardly of the upright basket body for a distance of more than one, half but less than four-fifths of the 'outwardly flaring legs 13. ,The end of each flaringleg 13 presents an upfolded portion, 14 extending'overthe terial which includes, a pair of v-shaped yoke sections 7 'each presenting an apex portion and flared legs enema;

height of the basket body and with saidbridging section extending transversely within the basket body, said sagging handle part being designed to provide a supporting sling for a nested basketfbody'ofsimilar shape and con,

tour with the body and sidewalls. of the nested-basket V substantially free of friction gripping contact .withl the walls of the basket whose handle part provides thesole support for the nested basket; j

2. A service baskethaving a, basket bodypresenting a,

bottom wall,"tapered side enclosin g walls, a reinforced top rim, and a handle part formed. from flexiblema ing therefrom, means for securing the ends of said'legs sections thereof extending inwardly of the uprightbasket body for a distance of approximatelyone-half to three} fourths of the height thereof and with said bridging section extending transversely" within the basket'body,

basket body of similar shape and contour with the body and side walls of the nested basket substantially free of friction gripping contact with the walls of the basket ghose handle part provides the sole support for the nested asket.

3. A plurality of internestable service baskets each having a basket body presenting a similar bottom wall, tapered side enclosing walls, a reinforced top rim, and a handle part formed from flexible material which includes, a pair of V-shaped yoke sections each presenting an apex portion and flared legs extending therefrom, means for securing the ends of said legs to the top rim of the basket body, and a bridging section extending between and secured to the apex portions of said paired yoke sections and providing a hand grip when said handle part is lifted to basket carrying position, each of said handle parts being sufliciently flexible to sag into its basket body when unsupported, with the paired yoke sections thereof extending inwardly of its basket body for a distance of more than one half but less than fourfifths of the height thereof and with said bridging section extending transversely within its basket body, each of said handle parts being designed to provide a sling support for the basket body nested therein with the body and side walls of the nested basket substantially free of friction gripping contact with the walls of the basket whose handle part provides the sole support for the nested basket.

4. A nestable service basket having a basket body which includes a tapered reinforcing framework presenting relatively stiff and rigid top and bottom hoops joined by a series of rigid vertically extending spacing ribs, a hood formed from flexible sheet material snugly telescoped over said reinforcing framework and presenting a bottom wall section shaped in substantial conformity with said bottom hoop and an enclosing side wall section embracing said vertical ribs, said side wall section having a tubular top portion embracing said top hoop and whereby said top hoop provides a reinforcing rim for the basket body and suspension support for said hood, and a handle part formed from flexible material which includes, a pair of V-shaped yoke sections each presenting an apex portion and flared legs extending therefrom, means for securing the ends of said legs to the top reinforcing rim of the basket body, and a bridging section extending between and secured to the apex portions of said paired yoke sections and providing a hand grip when said handle part is lifted to basket carrying position, said handle part when unsupported being sufliciently flexible to sag into the upright basket body with the yoke sections thereof extending inwardly of the upright basket body for a distance of more than one half of the height of the basket body and with said bridging section extending transversely within the basket body, said sagging handle part being designed to provide a sling support for a nested basket body of similar shape and contour with the body and side walls of the nested basket substantially free of friction gripping contact with the walls of the basket whose handle part provides the sole support for the nested basket.

5. A nestable service basket having a basket body which includes a tapered reinforcing framework presenting relatively stiff and rigid top and bottom hoops joined by a series of rigid vertically extending spacing ribs, said top and bottom hoops being substantially rectangular in outline with the bottom hoopof smaller dimension than the top hoop, a hood formed from flexible sheet material snugly telescoped over said reinforcing framework and presenting a bottom wall section shaped in substantial conformity with said bottom hoop and an enclosing side wall section embracing said vertical ribs, said side wall section having a tubular top portion embracing said top hoop and whereby said top hoop provides a reinforcing rim for the basket body and suspension support for said hood, and a handle part formed from flexible material which includes, a pair of V-shaped yoke sections each presenting an apex portion and flared legs extending therefrom, means for securing the ends of said legs to the top reinforcing rim of the basket body, and a bridging section extending between and secured to the apex portions of said paired yoke sections and providing a hand grip when said handle part is lifted to basket carrying position, said handle part when unsupported being sufliciently flexible to sag into the upright basket body with the yoke sections thereof extending inwardly of the upright basket body for a distance of more than one half of the height of the basket body and with said bridging section extending transversely within the basket body, said sagging handle part being designed to provide a sling support for a nested basket body of similar shape and contour with the body and side walls of the nested basket substantially free of friction gripping contact with the walls of the basket whose handle part provides the sole support for the nested basket.

6. A nestable service basket having a basket body which includes a tapered reinforcing framework presenting relatively stiff and rigid top and bottom hoops rigidly connected by a series of rigid vertically extending spacing ribs, said top and bottom hoops being substantially rectangular in outline with the bottom hoop of smaller dimension than the top hoop, a hood formed from flexible sheet material snugly telescoped over the exterior of said reinforcing framework and presenting a bottom wall section shaped in substantial conformity with said bottom hoop and an enclosing side wall section embracing said vertical ribs and secured to the peripheral edge of said bottom wall section, said side wall section having a t11 bular top portion embracing said top hoop whereby said top hoop provides a top reinforcing rim for the basket body and suspension support for said hood and whereby said bottom hoop and spaced vertical ribs provide a shape-maintaining structure for the bottom wall section and side wall section of said hood, a handle part formed from flexible material secured to the top reinforcing rim of the basket body, said handle part when unsupported being sufficiently flexible to sag into the upright basket body and provide a supporting bridge extending transversely within the basket body and thereby provide a sling support for a nested basket body of similar shape and contour with the body and side walls of the nested basket extending into the receiving basket to a depth of more than one-half but less than four-fifths of the height of the receiving basket and with the nested basket as thus supported being substantially free of friction gripping contact with the walls of the receiving basket whose handle part provides the sole support for the nested basket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,691 Shellenberger et al. Mar. 6, 1900 1,219,969 Lowe Mar. 20, 1917 1,439,180 M'agovern Dec. 19, 1922 2,007,997 Beulke et al July 16, 1935 2,608,227 Witt Aug. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 359,145 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1931 

